World Cup Quarterfinal: Bangladesh Needs a Miracle to Stop Indians

For Sri Lanka the only hope of defeating stronger South Africa in the quarter final was the history of chokers. Instead they choked. For Bangladesh, the only hope of defeating the stronger Indian team is again the past record. It is not about 2007 World Cup upset win, but related to the new record that India shares with South Africa, which was knocked out in the quarterfinal after achieving the feat of bowling out 6 consecutive teams in 2011 at Group Stage. While they chase the impossible, India looks set to win in a way where the new world cup record does not appear impossible for their bowlers.

Would Bangladesh easily forget the trouncing of 2011 World Cup and take positives from 2007 World Cup win!! In the past, Bangladesh has defeated India thrice in 28 matches. First time they defeated Indian in 2004 during the bilateral series at home. Second time it was the famous 2007 World Cup win and third time it was in 2012 at Asia Cup.

Since their last defeat in 2012 Asia Cup, India has played 3 matches of Bilateral series in Bangladesh. India won the series 2-0. But the scoreline tells how close the Bangladeshis were. Indian batsmen were bowled out for very low scores in 2nd ODI and even in third ODI they lost 9 wickets for just 119 runs when rain arrived. In the second ODI saving 105 runs, Indian bowlers bundled Bangladesh out for 58 runs.

Results in World Cup 2015
In the current World Cup, Indians have won all the 6 matches in Group B to top the Points Tally, equalling South African record of bowling out 6 teams in consecutive matches. Bangladesh, on the other hand emerged winner in 3 matches including the decisive win against England and also got a point from an abandoned match against Australia to qualify at 4th position in Group A. Bangladesh lost to New Zealand and Sri Lanka.Results for India in World Cup 2015Results for Bangladesh in World Cup 2015

Bowler Comparison
Indian bowlers have emerged as the best bowling unit of the tournament ahead of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. 4 Indian bowlers have grabbed at least 10 wickets each in Group matches, making them the most successful group ahead of New Zealand and Australian bowlers.Highest Wickettakers of World Cup 2015

Bangladeshi bowlers have Shakib and Rubel on top with 7 wickets each. They have bowled only 4 maidens as compared to 19 maidens by Indians. Indian have also been one of the best economic bowlers so far being the only team besides New Zealand to have not conceded 300 runs in 6 matches. Zimbabwe did get Ashwin and Jadeja into one very expensive spell, but that was just one exception.

Bangladesh can boast about Rubel Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib and Taskin Ahmed, while Indians have overall been so impressive that even their No. 1 bowler Bhuvneswar Kumar is finding it difficult to find a place in the team.

Batting Comparison
Bangladesh has chased a 300+ total boosting their confidence. Their score is higher than what Indians have achieved in their two 300+ scores in the first two matches. But Indians scored against Pakistan and South Africa, while Bangladesh scored against Scotland, who have failed to win any World Cup match even in 3 editions. After that India has been chasing at a modest rate in the last 4 matches. Indian batsmen have crafted second best 6 100+ partnerships, as compared to 3 by Bangladesh.

Mahmudullah, the 5th highest run scorer of World Cup 2015, has already scripted Bangladeshi history by scoring their first World Cup century and now has become the 9th batsmen in World Cup history to score back-to-back centuries. He would be aiming for the hattrick of centuries against India. Mushfiqur Rahim has been their other consistent batsman scoring 3 50s, while Shakib and Soumya has been useful too.

For India, Dhawan, Kohli and Raina have already scored 4 centuries, while Rohit, Raina and Dhoni have also scored half-centuries. With Dhoni’s unbeaten winning knocks in the last two matches the Indian batting appears to be batting deep with Jadeja being the only concern.

Bangla Needs Miracle, India Appears Unstoppable
On current form and last 6 matches, Bangladesh has improved but it’s performance is like Sri Lanka. Both performed only against the weaker teams. India is no weak team and appear unstoppable in Quarterfinal by Bangladesh, who have already created their World Cup record of reaching a Quarterfinal.